The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-28

CONFEDERACY DAY.
Southern People Go Almost wild in Adora~
tion of JEFF Davis and tile Lost Cause
CHICAGO, Oct. "a special from Macon,
Ga. says yesterday was 'Confederacy" day in
Macon. It was the last gasp, but it was a start
ling one. Everywhere throughout the city
federate flags were flying. Everybody had from
one to dozen badges on his breast indicative
of love for jeff Davis and for the 'loss cause
but still the leading and thinking people here
say that it means no disoyalty to the Union;
that il is only a last farewell. to tha old man who
must soon leave this world. and to the cause
these people fought for under him. The espe-
cial feature of the celebration was the so-caled
review of the confederate Veterans by their old
President Mr. Davis, with his family and
number of distinguished Georgians was sitting
on the porch of Captain Johustons house. which
stands in vast grounds at the summit of Null
berry hill. when the procession wheeled into the
front carriage gate, intending to pass close
by Mr. Davis and out at the rear gate, but the
crowd soon had swarmed over the fences and
filled the entire front lawn completely full
Every fellow was struggling to push nearer to
the porch, apd every voice was straining to be
heard above every other voice. shouting fur
rah for jeff Davis" The arrangements thathad
been made for reviewing the veterans we're
blown to kingdom come. What the crowd
wanted to see jeff Davis himself, touch
him, if possible, and to worship at his feet The
old veterans broke ranks and began climbing up
on the porch. The police tried TO pull them
down, but they shouted back that all the police
men in Georgia could not keep them from shak-
ing hands with JEFF Davis Mr. Davis, whose
seventy nine years have left him in a very fesble
A.
over the porch railing with every body whom
he could reach OF the 5,0o0 perhaps 200
managed to touch the hands which Dir. Davis
now and then tore away from those who sought
to hold them, and dansled over the railing.
Whenever he did this the crowd below would
grab his hands and some of the men who were
strong enough to keep the others away, stood
and held the thin, pale hands to their lips and
washed them with tears. Long-haired, un-
kempt old fellows crawled right upon the shoul-
ders of the men in front of them and reached
over their heads. regardless OF everything but
their one purpose OF touching the hand of JEFF
Davis. They scrambled, and fought, aud renefs /
and cried till bedlam must have seemed dense
silence beside them. Yet. even then, the
til somebody handed the ragged battle flag of
the Third Georgia Regiment over the heads of
the crowd that the the storm blew Its worst
Mr.. Davis erasped the tatters of the
flag and pressed them his lips
This was the signal for such Expressions
''God bless jeff Davis" ''God bless
crowd below and men and women on the porch
broke down under the strain put upon their emo
tions. and in . moment the entire multitude
was in tears. The old confederate President
waved the battle-torn sign over the heads of the
people. who yelled aud threw their hats away,
and cried like SO many children. Mrs. Davis
and her two daughters kissed the flag in turn.
and for each kiss 5, 900 hurrahs went up. Mrs
Davis last tore off a shred of the flag and
placed it within the bosom of her Dress where
upon a perfect pandemonum of God bless you"
aud similar shouts was let loose. When the flag
was handed back to the multitude the men
snatchsd all available tatters and pressed them
warmly to their lips.
Pretty soon Mr.. Davis rose. and, facing the
people in the attitude OF speech maker, man
aged finally to bring about a luil, in which he
was heard by the very nearest ones to saw:
Friends and brothers. am like that old flag
tattered and torn by storms and years. love
it for its own sake and for yours. I love it as
they hoped you would do. will see you again"
At this point another fag-one of the old origi-
nal flags with the three bars and the eleven
stars-was passed up. and Mr.. Davis and his
entire family kissed and wept over it.
Presently Governor Gordon pressed to the
front of the porch. and after getting silence,
began a speech, which was intended to take the
attention of the crowd from the feeble old man
who had by this time become thrilled and
cited that he trembled violently. Under cover
of Governor Gordon's speech Mr. Davis was put
where there was a repetition of the scene at
Captain Johnston's house. Several badges were
presented to Mr. Davis and his daughters.
These presents were made in behalf of several
military organizations which here, and the
badges, which were very beautiful. all bore con-
spicuously on their faces confederate flags and
printed sentiments. Of which the following from
the badge presented to Mr.. Davis by the Young
Mems Veterans Association is example,
"While the survivors Of the Confederacy do
honor to their chieftain we their sons, remem-
bering your faithfulness to and sufferings for
them, join our hearts with theirs in gratitude.
and together pledge You eternal love- Our
prayer is that God, who has ever been just, may
still for You, and when the end comes,
crown you with glory that never fades in a cause
that never dies.
When Mr.. Davis received this badge from the
hands of Congressman Blount's son. the old
President wept like a child, and said: 'My
young countrymen, am proud TO know that you
hold in revere nee the memory and principles of
your fathers
Davis the IRightfuI President.